His struggle to stay alive in the rural, barbaric ""re-education"" labor camp, his two escape attempts from his captors, and his horrifying walk through the skeletal remains of the brutal massacres in the Valley of Death, the muddy "killing fields," all present potent apocalyptic images on his journey to Thailand.Its other unusual and seedy characters include a nervous and sex-crazed motel manager, a blind shopkeeper, a drug smuggler, a sweaty drug dealer with a poorly-fitting wig, a terrorizing gang of juvenile delinquents, and an intense good cop - an international narcotics officer who is honeymooning (but ignores his wife), all in a sleazy border town (and a number of dark hotel rooms) within a twenty-four hour period.Calling himself Gruber""s "white knight," Harry Ellis negotiated with the lead terrorist, telling him that he could pressure his good friend McClane and get him to cooperate and surrender: "I can give him to you" - Gruber learned McClane""s name and occupation (NYPD officer).Or he figures hat the sheriff will be lynched by the townspeople:Maybe I could turn this thing into my advantage if I could find a sheriff who so offends the citizens of Rock Ridge hat his very appearance would drive them out of town.Beats the hell outta workin"" at Sears....Even if it is the Carolina League this is a chance to play every day.""Crash": "You don""t want a player.You want a stable pony...Well, my AAA contract gets bought out so I can hold the flavor-of-the-month""s dick in the bus leagues.